The Trekking Pawns' Diary

  Because exploring on foot is half the fun! Now that we’ve talked food, let’s map out what a perfect 6-hour walking day in Cabo San Lucas could look like when stepping right off the cruise port. We love wandering, people-watching, snacking, seeing everyday life, and finding those little unplanned gems — so this itinerary is all about immersion, not rushing. Starting Point: Cabo San Lucas Cruise Port ✅ Stop 1: Marina Promenade Stroll (1 hour) Begin your day right along Cabo’s famous marina. It’s lively, colorful, and full of local boats, vendors, fishermen unloading their morning catch, and pelicans hoping for scraps. 🐟🦅 What to do: Photo op with the Marina archway sign Watch local fishermen + sea lions near the docks Grab a quick coffee + pastry (or fresh juice!) from a local stand Peek inside little craft stalls along the walkway 🚶‍♀️ Walking pace: Slow, exploring, taking it all in ✅ Stop 2: Downtown Cabo & Local Markets (1.5 hours) Head toward Plaza Amel...

If you've been following us for a while, you already know — food is one of the greatest joys of traveling (at least for me!). I love exploring a destination one plate at a time, and everything in between is just a scenic walk to the next meal. 😌 Since this will be our first time in Cabo San Lucas , I started daydreaming and researching what deliciousness awaits us beyond the gorgeous beaches and famous sea arches. Sure, I’ve had tacos al pastor, Baja fish tacos, and ceviche before… but let’s be honest — I’ve probably had the American version more often than not. It’s time for the real deal . And yes, I fully intend to eat tacos every day if possible. #VacationGoals 🌮✨ But in my little food deep-dive, came across a few things jumped out at me that I’ve never tried on Cabo-adventures.com and now MUST find: (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Th...

Sorry it’s been a little quiet over here — life decided to throw some curveballs and blessings at the same time. New job, new routine, new schedule… and whew 😅 adjusting has been a journey . With less free time, I am suddenly understanding why some people just pay travel planners and show up. Imagine the luxury of simply arriving with zero research stress! …Although, let’s be real — I don’t know if I could actually do that. I like knowing what I’m walking into. Maybe one day I'll try an all-inclusive resort experience, but for now cruises feel like the perfect balance: semi-all-inclusive, lots to do, food ready and waiting, and no scrambling to book hotels or hunt for restaurants. Plus, with the NCL app and the nightly daily cruise newsletter , I still get that little thrill of planning and circling activities like a kid picking summer camp electives. 😂 That said… I do still need to plan our time in port — and it looks like we get long days at each stop — close to 10 full ...

After a week of tropical ports, unexpected downpours, and non-stop exploring, our final day on the cruise didn’t go quite as planned. One of us came down with a classic case of post-port blues—or more specifically, a stomach bug that hit hard after walking around the less-than-hygienic streets of Costa Maya . 🤒 Sick on a Ship… But Still Dancing? Let’s just say… it wasn’t pretty. The combo of diarrhea, shivers, and likely a fever made us super cautious. We’d heard that medical visits on cruise ships can be expensive —with some claiming motion sickness pills cost $20 a pop—so we decided to wait it out. As long as no food was involved, everything felt okay. But the moment even a little was eaten? Bathroom. Now. Despite feeling rough, we made the best of it: Stayed hydrated (thank you, water and ginger tea!). Skipped heavy meals and stuck to comforting foods—shout out to the congee/porridge station with ginger that absolutely saved the day. Still managed to enjoy the Bro...

Costa Maya was the final stop on our week-long Caribbean cruise aboard the Norwegian Getaway , and while we had high hopes for relaxing on sun-drenched beaches and enjoying spontaneous exploration… reality had other plans. ⛅ “Let’s Decide When We Get There…” This was the only port where we didn’t pre-book an excursion. We figured we’d go with the flow—check out the scene, talk to some locals, maybe hit the beach or snorkel. But as soon as we docked, it became clear: Mother Nature wasn’t on our side . Rain came in waves (literally), and the skies looked moody all day. From the ship, we could see the promise of white sandy beaches , but something else caught our attention: a massive wall dividing the ship-docked tourist complex from the open beach beyond. That seemed… odd. (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.)  🧱 The Wall, the Gates, and ...

 One of the absolute highlights of cruising for us? The shows. Always the shows. And on our recent voyage aboard the Norwegian Getaway , the entertainment did not disappoint! 🎬 Broadway at Sea – Twice! We’ve cruised with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) before—most memorably on the NCL Encore , where we were blown away by a single Broadway-style show about an Irish pub. It was so good, we went twice and loved every second of it. So when we boarded the Getaway , we wondered what their show selection would be like. To our surprise and delight: two Broadway-style shows — with the same talented cast performing both! Each performance was polished, energetic, and totally Broadway-worthy. We appreciated how the shows were different enough in style and story that it never felt repetitive. Hats off to the cast and crew for pulling double duty! Just a heads-up: 📸 No photos or video allowed during the performances. We saw a few guests try (tsk tsk), but staff were quick to step in. ...

Our last stop on the island of Roatán was one we’ll never forget: Manawakie Eco Park . Nestled inland, surrounded by tropical flora and rustic scenery, this hidden gem gave us an unforgettable, up-close-and-personal experience with some of Honduras’ most beloved animal residents. 🐾 Where else can you say you held a sloth, had a monkey crawl on your shoulder, and let a macaw perch on your head — all in one day? 🚗 The Journey to Manawakie As we made our way to the park, the skies began to clear—finally, some sunshine! The further inland we drove, the more of local Roatán life we got to witness. Fruit trees lined the roads, children played in front of homes, and we found ourselves bouncing along dirt roads that meandered through vibrant greenery. It was a peaceful contrast to the touristy cruise dock areas and gave us a real glimpse of how islanders live. (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you...

  After our stops at the chocolate and rum factories, our Roatán tour continued with a visit to West End —a charming, vibrant part of the island that had us dreaming of better weather. Even in the midst of a tropical storm , we could see the potential of this gorgeous spot. Palm trees swayed dramatically in the wind, the boats bobbed in the rough Caribbean waters, and though the skies were gray, the energy of the area was unmistakable. We couldn’t help but imagine how incredible it would’ve been on a sunny day—especially if our much-anticipated  submarine tour  had gone as planned. We were so excited to explore under the sea, but Mother Nature had other ideas. Still, the West End gave us a taste of what this island is all about. 🌊 About Roatán Roatán is the largest of the Bay Islands of Honduras , located about 65 kilometers off the northern coast of the mainland. Roughly 59 kilometers long and less than 8 kilometers wide , Roatán is nestled between the islands of U...

Our stop in Roatán, the largest of Honduras' Bay Islands, was one we eagerly anticipated—especially with a submarine excursion booked through GetYourGuide .  (Booking on Getyourguide was cheaper than cruise excursion and we had plenty of hours on the Island so we were not worried about time.)  Known for its lush landscapes, vibrant culture, and the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Roatán is a gem in the Caribbean. Despite the looming tropical storm, we remained hopeful for clear skies and packed our swim gear, ready for underwater exploration. (Disclaimer: Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click or buy on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.)  🚢 Arrival and Unexpected Changes Upon docking, gray skies greeted us, and the atmosphere was subdued. Navigating through the tourist dock, we noticed signs indicating cancellations of various activities due to the storm's aftermath. Following directions ...

Our visit to the Tulum Mayan Ruins was a sunny highlight of our NCL cruise stop in Cozumel, Mexico. After much debate about snorkeling, beach time, or diving into local culture, we chose a shore excursion to the historic ruins of Tulum , and we’re glad we did. While the snorkeling and beaches were tempting, the allure of ancient history won out this time! 🚌 Getting There: Cruise Convenience Meets Local Charm We boarded the early ferry from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen , coordinated through our cruise line. From there, a smooth and comfortable bus ride whisked us to Tulum. Our local guide was full of fascinating insights about the Mayan people , their traditions, and how life might have been before Spanish colonization. We learned that Tulum was once a walled trading port city known as Zama (meaning “City of Dawn”), named for its beautiful sunrises. It was one of the last cities inhabited and built by the Maya, and its cliffside location overlooking the Caribbean Sea made it both ...